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On Friday 7 September, 207 participants from across the UK travelled to Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries, to take part in the 2018 Buccleuch Property Challenge, raising over£14,000 for mental health charity, Projekt 42.

Breaking the fundraising target of £10,000, the money raised through the Challenge will ensure Projekt 42 is able to continue its necessary services to people across Leith and beyond. An Edinburgh-based mental health charity, Projekt 42 aims to enhance physical fitness and mental wellbeing through its gym and wellness centre.

An adrenaline-fueled adventure race, 69 teams of property professionals took on a variety of fitness tasks during the 2018 Challenge, which took them, for a distance of approximately 50km, over land and water across the 90,000-acre estate.

With new challenges added each year, participants took part in mountain biking, hill running, paddle boarding, kayaking, orienteering and archery, as well as pulling a Land Rover and conquering a number of skills-based activities.

Leading the way were Gladman Scotland, who’s team of three rose to the Challenge in just 4 hours and 26 minutes, to take the gold medal in the single team category. The mixed team gold medal winners, “Beginner’s LUCk”, a team from Land Use Consultants, closely followed, crossing the finish line after 4 hours and 32 minutes.

David Peck, Managing Director of Buccleuch Property said: “This was our 12th Buccleuch Property Challenge, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and supported us in our efforts to raise money for our chosen charity, Projekt 42. An organisation we have supported since 2017, the funds will take the not-for-profit gym one step closer to opening the doors of its purpose-built fitness and wellbeing centre in Halmyre Street, Leith.

“The Challenge provides an opportunity for organisations to get out of the office and engage in a unique team-building experience, while meeting individuals from across the industry and giving back to charity, with some light-hearted fun thrown in.”

Projekt 42 founder, Sara Hawkins added: “We were honoured to be chosen as this year’s charity and cannot thank everyone who supported us, and Buccleuch Property, enough. Every penny raised will go towards helping us provide our range of fitness classes, workshops, one-to-one counselling and life coaching sessions, which have proven invaluable to our members.

“In partnership with Buccleuch Property we had hoped to raise enough money to provide 300 hours of free counselling, however thanks to the support from Challenge participants and the public we’re now on track to provide 500 free hours of counselling, which will make a huge difference to those in need.”

Representatives from organisations including Savills, Native Land, Optimised Environments, CDA Group, Cushman & Wakefield, Rettie & Co, Cruden Homes, Chris Stewart Group and more took part in this year’s Challenge.

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.